The ingredients for an upset were plentiful during the opening 45 minutes. There was a raucous home crowd. It was a bitterly cold evening. And consistent snow flurries made the playing surface difficult. Yet the Blues were assured and fashioned several chances.

Neto's first arrived shortly before half-time, an excellent whipped finish from 20 yards that nestled in the corner, and his second came soon after the break as a corner from the Portugal international ended up in the net.

Estevao got his goal after good work from Liam Delap, who ended the night with three assists as the striker also teed up Neto to complete his treble.

Seven changes were made to the Chelsea side. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr and Jorrel Hato came into the defence. Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto returned to the attack. And Liam Delap led the Blues' frontline.

Our first opportunity fell to Neto. The Portuguese winger exchanged passes with Moises Caicedo on the edge of the Hull penalty area, but blazed his shot over the crossbar after a neat cut-back.

Caicedo then fashioned a chance for Garnacho. An excellent through pass split the Hull defence and the Argentine broke through on goal and fired a shot toward the corner. Hull goalkeeper Dillon Phillips saved well and Neto's follow-up was well blocked.

Hull carried a threat throughout the opening period and their fans responded to every attack. They did come close to forcing an equaliser after Liam Millar stole the ball off James on the byline and whipped it across the box for Lewis Koumas. He diverted it toward goal, but Sarr was positioned perfectly to block.

Chances missed

The Senegal international's next involvement during his first Chelsea start created a chance for Estevao. The centre-back produced a raking long pass that was taken down expertly by the Brazilian, he rounded Phillips and fired at goal. Unfortunately, his effort cleared the crossbar.

It was a let-off for the hosts – and there was soon another.

Delap showed good determination to close down the Hull goalkeeper and block his attempted clearance. The ball looped into the air and bounced off the crossbar, but Delap collected, turned and momentarily delayed getting his shot away, which enabled Phillips to get back and save.

Rob Sanchez wasn't tested often in the first half, but the Chelsea goalkeeper did have to make a smart reaction stop to push wide a free-kick from Ryan Giles.

Ahead in style

And just as it felt the game was drifting toward the interval, a lovely interchange of passes and an excellent shot from distance enabled the Blues to take the lead.

There appeared to be little threat when Neto received the ball from Andrey Santos 30 yards from goal and with Hull's defence set, but he found Caicedo, who moved the ball to Delap, and he knocked it back to Neto. The Portuguese took a touch and whipped a shot into the corner.

It was a fine strike and one that put us ahead at the break.

Taking control

Rosenior has spoken throughout his tenure about the Blues maintaining our intensity, and we started the second half well. Andrey Santos came close to scoring our second, forcing Phillips into a save with a smart header, but we did add to our lead from the resultant corner.

It was delivered to the near post by Neto and despite an attempt from Hato, the ball evaded everyone and found the net through the legs of Phillips.

A third would kill off the tie. It arrived before the hour mark. A pass from Neto into the right channel was chased down by Delap, who muscled his way into the area before being denied by Phillips. The rebound fell to Estevao and the 18-year-old confidently converted.

Immediately after the goal, Rosenior made changes. Josh Acheampong replaced James and Fernandez was introduced for Fernandez.

Hat-trick complete

We continued to move the ball neatly across the pitch as the half progressed. Hull showed rare glimpses, but the Blues were in full control and we added a fourth with 20 minutes to play.

Estevao was involved again as he found Neto, who fed a pass to Delap inside the penalty area. The winger darted into the box in expectation of the ball back, and when it returned, he guided a finish into the corner to complete his treble.

Further changes came soon after. Tosin Adarabioyo replaced Fofana and there was a Chelsea debut for Jesse Derry, who was introduced for Estevao.

Hull looked to grab a late consolation and Sanchez saved a near-post effort from Giles. The Tigers came even closer in the dying moments as Koumas broke through and prodded an effort toward goal. Sanchez produced an excellent finger-tip stop to push the ball onto the woodwork.

It proved the final scare as the Blues' place in the fifth round was confirmed moments later.

What it means

We enter the fifth round draw, which takes place on Monday evening.

What comes next

For the first time in Rosenior's tenure, the Blues have a free midweek before welcoming Burnley to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (Acheampong 60), Fofana (Tosin 77), Sarr, Hato; Caicedo (Fernandez 60), Andrey Santos; Neto, Estevao Willian (Derry 77), Garnacho; Delap (Mhueka 88)
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Gusto, Badiashile, Joao Pedro
Goalscorers: Neto 40, 51, 71, Estevao 59
Booked: Neto 45+1, Sarr 66

Hull City: Phillips; Egan, McNair, McCarthy; Coyle (Drameh 77), Hadziahmetovic (Lundstram 64), Slater, Giles; Hirakawa (Joseph 77), Koumas; Millar (Gerhardt 64)
Hull City substitutes: Pandur, Jacob, Famewo, Dowell, Tinsdale
Booked: Lundstram 73, Gerhardt 90

Attendance: 24,320